Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Gears & gear trains

Meshing gears
n1·N1 = n2·N2
Torque
T2 = T1·(N2/N1)·η
Power
P = T·ω, ω = 2π·n/60
Compound train
total ratio = product of the stage ratios

Torsion of shafts

Shear stress
τ = T·r/J
Solid shaft
J = πd⁴/32
Hollow shaft
J = π(D⁴ − d⁴)/32
Angle of twist
φ = TL/(GJ)
Power
P = T·ω = 2πnT/60

Method

  1. Find the polar moment of area: J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft.
  2. Shear stress at the surface: τ = T·r/J, with r the outer radius.
  3. Angle of twist: φ = TL/(GJ) in radians.
  4. If power is given, find the torque first with P = T·ω, ω = 2πn/60.

Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Centre
C = (σx + σy)/2
Radius
R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²)
Principal stresses
σ1,2 = C ± R
Principal direction
tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy)
Inclined plane
σθ = C + (σx − σy)/2·cos 2θ + τxy·sin 2θ

Method

  1. Calculate the centre of Mohr’s circle: C = (σx + σy)/2.
  2. Calculate the radius: R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²).
  3. The principal stresses are C ± R and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.
  4. Angles on the circle are double the angles on the element: tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy).

Axial stress & strain

Normal stress
σ = F/A
Strain
ε = ΔL/L
Hooke’s law
σ = E·ε
Elongation
ΔL = FL/(EA)
Thermal strain
εT = α·ΔT

Column buckling

Euler load
Pcr = π²EI/(KL)²
Effective length factor
K = 1 pinned–pinned, 0.5 fixed–fixed, 0.7 fixed–pinned, 2 fixed–free
Critical stress
σcr = Pcr/A
Slenderness
λ = KL/r, r = √(I/A)

Mechanical vibrations

Natural frequency
ωn = √(k/m), fn = ωn/(2π)
From static deflection
ωn = √(g/δst)
Critical damping
cc = 2√(km) = 2mωn
Damping ratio
ζ = c/cc
Damped frequency
ωd = ωn√(1 − ζ²)
Logarithmic decrement
δ = (1/n)·ln(x0/xn), ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²)
Springs in parallel
k = k1 + k2
Springs in series
1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2

2Practice problems

1.Gears & gear trainsMedium
N1​ = 15N2​ = 25

A 0.75 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 15 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 25 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 0.75 kWn1 = 2900 rpmN1 = 15N2 = 25η = 97%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 160 mmd2​ = 450 mm1440 rpmC = 500 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 160 mm pulley and a 450 mm pulley whose centres are 500 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 160 mmd2 = 450 mmC = 500 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 30, di​ = 21 mmT = 750 N·mL = 2.5 m

A hollow steel shaft (outer diameter 30 mm, inner diameter 21 mm, length 2.5 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 750 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 750 N·mdo = 30 mmdi = 21 mmL = 2.5 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?100 kW, 300 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 100 kW at 300 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.75 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 100 kWN = 300 rpmdi/do = 0.75τallow = 80 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 120σy​ = 10τxy​ = 30MPa

A point has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θs, between −90° and 90°, from the x-axis to the normal of the plane on which the shear stress has its maximum positive value +R (shear positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 120 MPaσy = 10 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 110σy​ = 100τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = 100 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = 110 MPaσy = 100 MPaτxy = 20 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
200 kNØ20110 GPaØ100/70400 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 20 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 110 GPa). Both are 400 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 200 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 200 kNrod: Ø20 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø70 mm, E = 110 GPaL = 400 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmBrass1 mØ 20 mmCopper2 mP = 80 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the total elongation δ.

P = 80 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 m20 × 80 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 20 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 1 md = 25 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 12 kN/mζ = 0.6m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 12 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.6. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 100 kgk = 12 kN/mζ = 0.6
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 10m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 100 kN/m and k₂ = 10 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 40 kgk1 = 100 kN/mk2 = 10 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 3.993 N·m

Gear trains: meshing gears have the same speed at the teeth, so n₁·N₁ = n₂·N₂: the gear with fewer teeth turns faster. Gears on one shaft turn at the same speed. Power is passed on (minus losses), so torque goes up when speed goes down: T₂ = T₁·(N₂/N₁)·η, and P = T·ω with ω = 2π·n/60.

Motor torque

ω₁ = 2π·2900/60 = 303.7 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 750/303.7 = 2.47 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 2.47·25/15·0.97 = 3.993 N·m

Answer

T2 = 3.993 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 146.3 °

Belt drives: without slip, both pulleys have the same rim speed v = π·d·n/60, so n₁·d₁ = n₂·d₂ and the speed ratio is d₂/d₁. Slip s makes the driven pulley a little slower: n₂ = n₁·(d₁/d₂)·(1 − s). The power transmitted is P = (T₁ − T₂)·v, with T₁ the tension on the tight side and T₂ on the slack side. Friction limits the ratio of the tensions: T₁/T₂ = eμθ, where θ is the angle of wrap in radians on the smaller pulley; for an open belt θ = π − 2·asin((d₂ − d₁)/(2C)) with centre distance C.

Belt angle

asin(0.29) = 16.86°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·16.86 = 146.3°

Answer

θ = 146.3°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 22.22 °

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Polar second moment of area

J = π(30⁴ − 21⁴)/32 = 60428 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 750 N·m = 750000 N·mm
L = 2.5 m = 2500 mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 750000·2500/(80000·60428) = 0.3879 rad
φ = 0.3879·180/π = 22.22°

Answer

φ = 22.22°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 66.68 mm

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·300/60 = 31.42 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/31.42 = 3183 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 3183 N·m = 3.183 × 10⁶ N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.75⁴ = 0.6836
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·3.183 × 10⁶/(π·80·0.6836)) = 66.68 mm
di = 0.75·66.68 = 50.01 mm

Answer

do = 66.68 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 58.74 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = −30.69 °

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.

στxyCτmax​

Angle on the circle

On Mohr’s circle the top point (+R) is 90° from the principal point σ₁; on the element that is 45°.

cos 2θs = 30/62.65 = 0.4789, sin 2θs = −55/62.65 = −0.8779
2θs = atan2(−55, 30) = −61.39°

Angle on the element

θs = −30.69°
check: θs − θp = −30.69 − 14.31 = −45°

Answer

θs = −30.69°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 110.9 MPa

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

σxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 105 MPa, R = 20.62 MPa
σ1 = 125.6 MPa, σ2 = 84.38 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(125.6² − 125.6·84.38 + 84.38²) = 110.9 MPa

Answer

σvM = 110.9 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.1589 mm

Two materials: in series (one after the other) every segment carries the same force and the elongations add: δ = P·Σ L/(E·A). In parallel (side by side between rigid plates) both parts shorten by the same amount, so their strains are equal: the stiffer part takes the larger share, Pi = P·EiAi/ΣEA, and σi = Ei·ε. A bar held between two rigid walls with a load at the junction is statically indeterminate: the two segments share the load in proportion to their stiffness k = EA/L.

Areas

Ar = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
At = π(100² − 70²)/4 = 4006 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·314.2 + 110·10³·4006 = 5.034 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 200000·400/5.034 × 10⁸ = 0.1589 mm

Answer

δ = 0.1589 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 5.983 mm

Axially loaded members: each prismatic segment obeys δ = PL/(AE). For members in series the elongations add.

Same force in both segments

The free end carries P, so every section of the bar carries the same axial force P. Only the areas and materials change.

A1 = π·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 163 MPa
σ2 = 254.6 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 163·1000/100000 = 1.63 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 254.6·2000/117000 = 4.353 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 5.983 mm

Answer

δ = 5.983 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 23.58 kN

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Smallest second moment of area

A rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 80·20³/12 = 53333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·53333/1250² = 23582 N = 23.58 kN

Answer

Pcr = 23.58 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 157.4 MPa

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Smallest second moment of area

A round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 490.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(19175/490.9) = 6.25 mm
KL = 0.7·1000 = 700 mm
KL/r = 700/6.25 = 112

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/112² = 157.4 MPa

Answer

σcr = 157.4 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 1.395 Hz

Free vibration of a mass–spring system: the undamped natural frequency is ωn = √(k/m) in rad/s, and fn = ωn/(2π) in Hz. A viscous damper c gives the damping ratio ζ = c/cc, with critical damping cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·m·ωn. An underdamped system (ζ < 1) oscillates at ωd = ωn·√(1 − ζ²). Springs in parallel add, k = k₁ + k₂; springs in series add as reciprocals, 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂.

Undamped natural frequency

ωn = √(12000/100) = 10.95 rad/s
fn = 10.95/(2π) = 1.743 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 1.743·√(1 − 0.6²) = 1.395 Hz

Answer

fd = 1.395 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 110 kN/m

Free vibration of a mass–spring system: the undamped natural frequency is ωn = √(k/m) in rad/s, and fn = ωn/(2π) in Hz. A viscous damper c gives the damping ratio ζ = c/cc, with critical damping cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·m·ωn. An underdamped system (ζ < 1) oscillates at ωd = ωn·√(1 − ζ²). Springs in parallel add, k = k₁ + k₂; springs in series add as reciprocals, 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂.

Equivalent stiffness

Springs side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 100 + 10 = 110 kN/m

Answer

keq = 110 kN/m

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